Adjustment Process
August 19, 2010 05:38 PM | General
August 19, 2010
MORGANTOWN, W. Va. - The process of changing from a high school football player to a college athlete can be intimidating. After all, there are a lot of adjustments to be made.
 |
|
| Defensive back Ishmael Banks works on a pass catching drill during practice earlier this week.
All-Pro Photography/Dale Sparks photo |
The pace of the game is much faster; the plays are often difficult and usually take longer to learn and time management takes on a new meaning. For Mountaineer newcomer Ishmael Banks, however, spending his high school years at Hargrave Military Academy had prepared him for this moment.
“We were up at six in the morning to get in formation to march to breakfast. Then we would come back to our room to get ready and go to class. After class we usually had study time before going to another class. We finally got to go to football practice in the evening. After practice we had more study time before bed, and then lights had to be out by 10,” said Banks.
If anything, this constant repetitive process taught Banks how to be appreciative of certain aspects in his life.
“I appreciate a lot of things, freedom for one,” he said. “School helped me get all of my priorities in check and taught me that you have to get your work done and set aside time to study, even when you do have practice.”
Other similarities between his schooling and this year’s preseason football camp have helped make the transition easier. Banks is already in the habit of being up early, and his experience with drill instructors at Hargrave helped him prepare for the new coaching techniques he would face at West Virginia.
“I’m going to have to say the drill instructor was worse though,” Banks said with a grin. “Coach Lockwood is a good guy, and I really like him a lot. He’s been teaching me things and he’s really been giving me a chance to compete.”
In addition to Lockwood, teammates such as Brandon Hogan and Keith Tandy have been stepping up as leaders and instructors - a role that has not gone unnoticed and one that has Coach Bill Stewart extremely pleased.
“Many upperclassmen, hearing from the freshman, are teaching them well. Our corners are doing an excellent job,” said Stewart.
“I have a lot of good players ahead of me,” added Banks. “(Brandon) Hogan and (Keith) Tandy and Pat Miller have been trying to help me out and show me the way. They’re really looking out for me right now.” Banks finished his Hargrave career as the country’s third-ranked cornerback among prep school players, while ranking in the Top 25 nationally. He was a two-time all-Capital District player, making the first team as a senior, and was also named second team all-Central Region and second team all-Metro. He had four interceptions, 15 pass break-ups and two forced fumbles as a high school senior.
Despite this talent, Banks is still adjusting to the differences between high school and college football.
“The speed is different; it’s faster,” said Banks. “Learning the plays is more difficult, but I’m catching on. We’re also focusing more on zone coverage, which I’m trying to get used to.”
Competition has also been fierce because of the amount of depth and talent at the cornerback position. With each player coveting a starting role as the regular season draws closer, the competition is only going to increase.
“We’re all trying to compete and get better. We all want to do the best we can and earn a spot on that field. At the same time, we’re working hard and striving to make each other better,” said Banks.
“Right now, I’m just trying to learn every route, and pay attention to everything that’s going on in the team meetings. I’m just watching and learning from Hogan and Tandy to see what I’m doing wrong so I can take it to the field and do better at what I’m not doing really well on.”
In the meantime, Banks is focused on getting used to the college atmosphere. In becoming adjusted to the team as a whole and the new players he will spend the next four years with, Banks has come to enjoy the atmosphere at West Virginia.
“Every kid dreams of playing at a big school like this,” he said. “I feel like I finally made it, but I have to keep doing my best to stay here. I have to do everything I can to get on the field when its time.”
